Even vs. Evening — What's the Difference?
By Fiza Rafique & Maham Liaqat — Updated on March 19, 2024
Even refers to a state of uniformity or equality, while evening is the period of the day between afternoon and night.
Difference Between Even and Evening
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Even is a term used to describe a condition of uniformity, balance, or equality. It can pertain to numbers (divisible by two without a remainder), surfaces (smooth and flat), or situations (fair and equitable). For instance, the concept of "even distribution" implies that resources are allocated equally among all parties involved. On the other hand, evening refers to the time of day that follows the afternoon and precedes the night. It is often associated with the end of the workday, relaxation, and the transition from daylight to darkness, characterized by activities like dining or spending time with family.
While "even" can function as an adjective, adverb, or verb, highlighting aspects of equality, smoothness, or the act of making something equal, "evening" is a noun, specifically denoting a part of the day. This distinction underlines the difference in their applications: "even" is versatile, used in various contexts to convey balance or parity, whereas "evening" is fixed, representing a specific time period.
In mathematics and other disciplines, "even" is a precise term with clear criteria, especially notable in the classification of numbers (e.g., 2, 4, 6 are even numbers). In contrast, the definition of "evening" can vary culturally and geographically, depending on factors such as daylight hours and social norms, indicating its more subjective nature.
The use of "even" can also introduce emphasis or contrast in a sentence, as in "even I knew the answer," suggesting surprise or contradiction. Meanwhile, "evening" might evoke specific emotions or settings, such as tranquility or the approach of night, emphasizing its role in daily human rhythms and the natural world.
Despite their differences, both terms play significant roles in language and communication. "Even" is essential for expressing concepts of fairness, uniformity, and balance, whether in everyday situations or specialized fields. "Evening," however, enriches language by capturing a particular phase of the daily cycle, offering a backdrop for various human activities and experiences.
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Comparison Chart
Definition
Describes uniformity, balance, or equality.
Refers to the time of day between afternoon and night.
Part of Speech
Can be an adjective, adverb, or verb.
Noun.
Context
Used in various contexts to convey balance or parity.
Represents a specific time period.
Example Usage
"An even surface," "even numbers," "to even out a surface."
"Spend the evening at home," "during the early evening."
Significance
Conveys concepts of fairness, uniformity, and balance.
Captures a particular phase of the daily cycle.
Compare with Definitions
Even
To make uniform or equal.
Use a roller to even out the dough.
Evening
A period marked by specific activities or qualities.
The conference concluded with an evening reception.
Even
Uniform and smooth in quality.
She admired the even texture of the fabric.
Evening
The transition time from daylight to darkness.
The sky turns beautiful colors in the evening.
Even
Without variation or change.
The competition remained even throughout.
Evening
The latter part of the day and early part of the night.
They enjoyed a quiet evening at home.
Even
Equal in number, amount, or value.
The teams were divided into even numbers.
Evening
Often associated with relaxation after a day’s work.
She spends her evenings reading.
Even
Indicating emphasis or contradiction.
Even he was surprised by the outcome.
Evening
Can denote a social event or gathering.
They were invited to an evening gala.
Even
The end of the day; evening
Bring it to my house this even
Evening
Evening is the period of a day from the end of the afternoon to the beginning of night. The exact times when evening begins and ends depend on location, time of year, and culture, but it is generally regarded as beginning when the Sun is low in the sky and lasting until the end of twilight.
Even
Flat and smooth
Prepare the site, then lay an even bed of mortar
Evening
The period of decreasing daylight between afternoon and night.
Even
Equal in number, amount, or value
An even gender balance among staff and students
Evening
The period between sunset or the evening meal and bedtime
A quiet evening at home.
Even
(of a number, such as 2, 6, or 108) divisible by two without a remainder
Any number doubled is even
A meter that reads only in even numbers
Evening
A later period or time
In the evening of one's life.
Even
Make or become even
She cut the hair again to even up the ends
It's not exactly revenge I want, but I'd like things evened up
Thereafter prices evened out
Evening
Chiefly Southern US The time from noon to twilight.
Even
Used to emphasize something surprising or extreme
They have never even heard of the United States
They wore fur hats, even in summer
Evening
The time of the day between dusk and night, when it gets dark.
Even
Having a horizontal surface; flat
An even floor.
Evening
The time of the day between the approximate time of midwinter dusk and midnight (compare afternoon); the period after the end of regular office working hours.
Even
Having no irregularities, roughness, or indentations; smooth.
Evening
(figuratively) A concluding time period; a point in time near the end of something; the beginning of the end of something.
It was the evening of the Roman Empire.
Even
Being in the same plane or line; parallel
The picture is even with the window.
Evening
A party or gathering held in the evening.
Even
Having no variations or fluctuations; uniform
The even rhythm of his breathing.
Evening
Present participle of even
Even
Of uniform distribution
An even application of varnish.
Evening
Present participle of evene
Even
Placid; calm
An even temperament.
Evening
The latter part and close of the day, and the beginning of darkness or night; properly, the decline of the day, or of the sun.
In the ascending scaleOf heaven, the stars that usher evening rose.
Even
Equal or identical in degree, extent, or amount
Use even amounts of butter and sugar.
Evening
The latter portion, as of life; the declining period, as of strength or glory.
Even
Equally matched or balanced
An even fight.
Evening
The latter part of the day (the period of decreasing daylight from late afternoon until nightfall);
He enjoyed the evening light across the lake
Even
Just; fair
An even bargain.
Evening
A later concluding time period;
It was the evening of the Roman Empire
Even
Having nothing due on either side; square
If we each take half, then we'll be even.
Evening
The early part of night (from dinner until bedtime) spent in a special way;
An evening at the opera
Even
Having exacted full revenge
He finally got even with his betrayer.
Even
Having equal probability; as likely as not
An even chance of winning.
Even
Having an equal score
The teams are even at halftime.
Even
Being equal for each opponent. Used of a score.
Even
Exactly divisible by 2.
Even
Characterized or indicated by a number exactly divisible by 2.
Even
Having an even number in a sequence.
Even
Having an even number of members.
Even
Having an exact amount, extent, or number; precise
An even pound.
An even foot.
Even
To a greater degree or extent. Used as an intensive with comparative adjectives and adverbs
This painting is good, but that one is even better.
Even
Indeed; moreover. Used as an intensive
He was happy, even ecstatic. Even a child knows better.
Even
Used as an intensive to indicate something that is unexpected
Declined even to consider the idea.
Even
At the same time as; already; just
Even as we watched, the turtle emerged from its shell.
Even
To a degree that extends; fully
Loyal even unto death.
Even
Exactly; precisely
It was even as he said.
Even
To make or become even.
Even
Evening.
Even
Flat and level.
Clear out those rocks. The surface must be even.
Even
Without great variation.
Despite her fear, she spoke in an even voice.
Even
Equal in proportion, quantity, size, etc.
The distribution of food must be even.
Call it even.
Even
Divisible by two.
Four, fourteen and forty are even numbers.
Even
(of a number) Convenient for rounding other numbers to; for example, ending in a zero.
Even
On equal monetary terms; neither owing nor being owed.
Even
(colloquial) On equal terms of a moral sort; quits.
You biffed me back at the barn, and I biffed you here—so now we're even.
Even
Parallel; on a level; reaching the same limit.
Even
(obsolete) Without an irregularity, flaw, or blemish; pure.
Even
(obsolete) Associate; fellow; of the same condition.
Even
(transitive) To make flat and level.
We need to even this playing field; the west goal is too low.
Even
To equal or equate; to make the same.
Even
To be equal.
Thrice nine evens twenty seven.
RQ:Carew Survey of Cornwall
Even
To place in an equal state, as to obligation, or in a state in which nothing is due on either side; to balance, as accounts; to make quits.
We need to even the score.
Even
To set right; to complete.
Even
To act up to; to keep pace with.
Even
(archaic) Exactly, just, fully.
I fulfilled my instructions even as I had promised.
You are leaving tonight? — Even so.
This is my commandment, that ye love one another, even as I have loved you.
Even
In reality; implying an extreme example in the case mentioned, as compared to the implied reality.
Even a blind squirrel finds an acorn sometimes.
Did you even make it through the front door?
That was before I was even born.
Even
Emphasizing a comparative.
I was strong before, but now I am even stronger.
Even
Signalling a correction of one's previous utterance; rather, that is.
My favorite actor is Jack Nicklaus. Jack Nicholson, even.
Even
An even number.
So let's see. There are two evens here and three odds.
Even
Evening.
Even
Level, smooth, or equal in surface; not rough; free from irregularities; hence uniform in rate of motion of action; as, even ground; an even speed; an even course of conduct.
Even
Equable; not easily ruffled or disturbed; calm; uniformly self-possessed; as, an even temper.
Even
Parallel; on a level; reaching the same limit.
And shall lay thee even with the ground.
Even
Balanced; adjusted; fair; equitable; impartial; just to both sides; owing nothing on either side; - said of accounts, bargains, or persons indebted; as, our accounts are even; an even bargain.
To make the even truth in pleasure flow.
Even
Without an irregularity, flaw, or blemish; pure.
Even
Associate; fellow; of the same condition.
Even
Not odd; capable of division by two without a remainder; - said of numbers; as, 4 and 10 are even numbers.
Whether the number of the stars is even or odd.
Even
To make even or level; to level; to lay smooth.
His temple Xerxes evened with the soil.
It will even all inequalities
Even
To equal.
Even
To place in an equal state, as to obligation, or in a state in which nothing is due on either side; to balance, as accounts; to make quits; to make equal; as, to even the score.
Even
To set right; to complete.
Even
To act up to; to keep pace with.
Even
To be equal.
Even
In an equal or precisely similar manner; equally; precisely; just; likewise; as well.
Even so did these Gauls possess the coast.
Even
Up to, or down to, an unusual measure or level; so much as; fully; quite.
Thou wast a soldierEven to Cato's wish.
Without . . . making us even sensible of the change.
Even
As might not be expected; - serving to introduce what is unexpected or less expected.
I have made several discoveries, which appear new, even to those who are versed in critical learning.
Even
At the very time; in the very case.
I knew they were bad enough to please, even when I wrote them.
By these presence, even the presence of Lord Mortimer.
Even
Make level or straight;
Level the ground
Even
Become even or more even;
Even out the surface
Even
Make even or more even
Even
Divisible by two
Even
Equal in degree or extent or amount; or equally matched or balanced;
Even amounts of butter and sugar
On even terms
It was a fifty-fifty (or even) split
Had a fifty-fifty (or even) chance
An even fight
Even
Being level or straight or regular and without variation as e.g. in shape or texture; or being in the same plane or at the same height as something else (i.e. even with);
An even application of varnish
An even floor
The road was not very even
The picture is even with the window
Even
Symmetrically arranged;
Even features
Regular features
A regular polygon
Even
Occurring at fixed intervals;
A regular beat
The even rhythm of his breathing
Even
Of the score in a contest;
The score is tied
Even
Used as an intensive especially to indicate something unexpected;
Even an idiot knows that
Declined even to consider the idea
I don't have even a dollar!
Even
In spite of; notwithstanding;
Even when he is sick, he works
Even with his head start she caught up with him
Even
To a greater degree or extent; used with comparisons;
Looked sick and felt even worse
An even (or still) more interesting problem
Still another problem must be solved
A yet sadder tale
Even
To the full extent;
Loyal even unto death
Common Curiosities
How does even function in a sentence?
"Even" can function as an adjective, adverb, or verb, adding emphasis, indicating balance, or describing an action to make something equal.
How is evening defined?
Evening is defined as the period of the day that follows the afternoon and precedes the night.
Can even be used to describe fairness?
Yes, "even" can describe situations or distributions that are fair, balanced, or equal.
What does even mean in terms of numbers?
In mathematics, an even number is divisible by two without a remainder.
What are typical evening activities?
Typical evening activities might include dining, spending time with family, or relaxing.
What is an example of even used for emphasis?
"Even I knew the answer," emphasizes surprise or contradiction.
Is the concept of evening the same worldwide?
The concept of evening can vary depending on cultural, geographical, and personal perspectives, particularly in terms of timing and activities associated with it.
Why is evening significant in daily routines?
Evening marks the end of the workday and is often associated with rest, leisure activities, and preparation for the night.
Can even be used in a legal context?
Yes, "even" can be used in legal and ethical discussions to refer to equity and justice.
How does daylight saving time affect the concept of evening?
Daylight saving time shifts clock time forward or back, affecting the perceived length and timing of evening in regions that observe it.
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Written by
Fiza RafiqueFiza Rafique is a skilled content writer at AskDifference.com, where she meticulously refines and enhances written pieces. Drawing from her vast editorial expertise, Fiza ensures clarity, accuracy, and precision in every article. Passionate about language, she continually seeks to elevate the quality of content for readers worldwide.
Co-written by
Maham Liaqat
